Morris Memo
September 17, 2021 LWE Newsletter
Principal's Letter
Dear Lake Windward Families,
Happy Friday! We are wrapping up another great week at LWE!
Our district's professional development focus for teachers and administrators over the next few years is literacy. We are all participating in very specific trainings regarding The Science of Reading over the next couple of years. Administrators have already begun the training this month and teachers will begin the trainings in January. I have already truly enjoyed expanding my professional knowledge on this topic as so much new research on this topic has been published since I was in college.
In addition to the professional development from the outside vendor (LETRS), FCS invested in providing all elementary schools the opportunity to hire a K-2 Literacy Coach. Our Literacy Coach, Mrs. Jan Palermo, is a seasoned educator who has extensive training in reading and language arts instruction. She will spend the next three years working with K-2 students and teachers to ensure we are implementing best practices in reading and writing instruction and our students are well supported. She has already become a fantastic resource for our teachers and students in her short time in this role.
While our literacy rate at LWE is already quite high (over 90%), I look forward to tweaking our practices over the next few years to ensure we are implementing the most effective strategies for ALL STUDENTS when teaching reading and writing. Keeping a growth mindset is key for us during these upcoming years of learning and growing together!
Warm regards,
Julie Morris
Learning & Growing at LWE!
FCS Late Start Days
You may notice that on the FCS calendar there are six "Late Start Days" listed. The superintendent added these days to give teachers some additional time to review student data and to make instructional decisions in collaboration with colleagues. At Lake Windward ES, these days will not impact students' arrival times. Our buses, carpool, and breakfast schedule will remain the same as always on these "Late Start Days". Teachers will be in meetings on a rotational basis and we will provide coverage for the teachers while in meetings. Therefore, we'd like all students to arrive by 7:40 am, as usual, on these dates. Schools have some autonomy with how this will work. Therefore, if you have children at other schools, their schools may give you other instructions for these days.
We are so excited to share that we are hosting a Scholastic Virtual Book Fair September 14th- 26th!
Our Virtual Fair features:
- A fully virtual Book Fair experience where you and your child can browse nearly 300 titles by grade, meet popular authors and watch book videos to learn more about the books your child is interested in.
- Direct access to over 5,000 additional titles with family-friendly prices at the Scholastic Store Online
- No lines, no waiting. View the book fair in the comfort of your home, whenever it is convenient for YOU.
- Your order ships directly to you. Free shipping with book orders over $25.
- Rewards that benefit our school directly—25% of every purchase will go back directly to our school to support YOUR students.
Check out our Virtual Store to learn more:
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/lakewindwardelemschool
You can also go to: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairsdotcom/fair-finder.html
Then type in: Lake Windward (it will pull up our school)
Thank you for supporting our fall Virtual Book Fair!
Book Fair Chair & Lake Windward Media/Technology Specialist
Susan Brandon
brandonss@fultonschools.org
LWE Lost & Found
As of September 15th we had 28 jackets and 7 water bottles in the lost and found. Please help us get forgotten/misplaced items back to your child by labeling all jackets, lunch boxes and water bottles with your child's name. Our front desk secretary, Ms. Pitman, regularly goes through Lost & Found items to see if there are names on the items and returns them to students who have labeled items. At the end of each semester, all unclaimed Lost & Found items get donated to charity.
Important Dates To Note
September 14-26- Virtual Book Fair
October 11- Columbus Day- School Closed
October 12- Teacher Workday- No School for students
Transportation Changes
If your child has a transportation change, please call the front office or send in a note with your child. Please do not email teachers transportation changes the day of the change. There are many days that our teachers do not have time to check email until after dismissal. In addition, when there are substitute teachers, they don't have access to the teacher's email. Thank you for your help with this matter.
Morning Carpool
When dropping off your student(s) in the morning, please pull forward to an available adult. Our staff who are assisting are now trying to space themselves so that they are helping just one vehicle at a time. We understand that younger students may have difficulties opening the car door. Our goal is to make this experience as safe and expedient as possible.
More Learning & Growing at LWE!
Another Easy Way to Support LWE PTO! Do You Already Shop At Amazon?
If you register for Amazon Smile, they will automatically donate a portion of your sales to the LWE PTO. All you have to do is sign-up!!
How to use AmazonSmile on a web browser:
- Visit smile.amazon.com
- Sign in with the same account you use for Amazon.com
- Select your charity : Lake Windward Elementary School PTO Inc. Alpharetta, GA.
- Start shopping! Remember to checkout at smile.amazon.com to generate donations for your chosen charity.
Tip: Add a bookmark to make it easier to shop at smile.amazon.com.
How to use AmazonSmile using the Amazon app on your mobile phone:
- Open the Amazon Shopping app
- Navigate to the main menu: the 3 lines next to the cart icon at the bottom of the screen (=)
- Tap on Settings and then select “AmazonSmile” from the list
- Select Lake Windward Elementary School PTO Inc. Alpharetta, GA., and then follow the on-screen instructions to turn ON AmazonSmile in the mobile app
- Once AmazonSmile has been activated in your app, future eligible app purchases will generate a donation for the charity you have selected.
Note: The tablet app is not yet supported.
Stay in contact!
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